Vroom vroom!
The Bikeriders
CERT 15, 116 minutes, in cinemas 21 June
STARRING: Jodie Comer, Austin Butler, Tom Hardy DIRECTOR: Jeff Nichols
★★★★
Chicago, 1965 – motorcycle obsessive Johnny (Hardy) launches the Vandals biker club with charismatic pal Benny (Butler), who is never happier than when crushing the speed limit or taking the fight to rival groups. Kathy (Comer) can’t help falling for this sexy bad boy, but finds herself in atug of love for him with Johnny after she realises the Vandals will surely be the death of him.
Largely inspired by Danny Lyon’s 1967 photo book of the same name, The Bikeriders captures the camaraderie and wild adventure of this renegade lifestyle, while giving the audience vital access points through the perspectives of both Kathy and tag-along photographer Danny (Challengers’ Mike Faist). Elvis star Austin Butler convinces as aman who always acts on instinct, looking gorgeous while doing it.
While Jeff Nichols’ film is by no means merely celebratory, some may shrug at the antics of these misfit bad boys, and the storyline –involving an inevitable corrupting of the Vandals’ pure spirit as the years tick by –feels quite slender.
VERDICT
“What are you rebelling against?” Marlon Brando was asked in 1953’s The Wild One. “W hadaya got?” was his reply. The Bikeriders may not move the dial much from that famous interchange, but it’s a well-achieved addition to the outlaw-spirit genre.
Something In The Water
CERT 15, 86 MINUTES, IN CINEMAS 21 JUNE, STARRING: Hiftu Quasem, Natalie Mitson, Lauren Lyle, DIRECTOR: Hayley Easton Street
★★★
THE PLOT: When Lizzie (Lyle) invites her four besties to her swanky Caribbean wedding, the quintet sets off to adesert-island bonding exercise the day before the ceremony. Pretty soon, they’re all in the ocean with sharks circling
